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Colicins are folded protein toxins that face the formidable task of translocating across one or both of the Escherichia coli cell membranes in order to induce cell death. This translocation is achieved by parasitizing host proteins. There has been much recent progress in our understanding of the early stages of colicin entry, including the binding of outer-membrane nutrient transporters and porins and the subsequent recruitment of periplasmic and inner-membrane proteins that, together, trigger translocation. As well as providing insights into how these toxins enter cells, these studies have highlighted some surprising similarities in the modes of action of the systems that colicins subvert.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/nrmicro2454

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Rev Microbiol

Publication Date

12/2010

Volume

8

Pages

843 - 848

Keywords

Cell Membrane, Colicins, Escherichia coli, Protein Transport